In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Pit Bull Attacks Four in Peabody; LifeFlight and Ambulances Summoned

Death Sentence OrderedUPDATE 04/29/09: The berserking pit bull that went on a "binge" attack earlier in the month has received a death sentence. According to police Capt. Dennis Bonaiuto, the city's animal control officer issued an order to have the dog, Bronson, euthanized within 90 days. Lilian Pinto made her decision after owner Brian Stevens and his lawyer appeared at a hearing last week in the Peabody police station and blamed the victims for the attack.

04/12/09: Victims Recovering After Attack Two victims of the recent "Pit Bull Attack Binge," are recovering after a night in the hospital. It was reported yesterday that Sarah Malave, 24, was due to be discharged from Salem Hospital and Cassandra Osgood, 23, was still receiving care after being airlifted to Massachusetts General. The condition of Jamie Brickman, 27, who neighbors say is the live-in girlfriend of pit bull owner Brian Stevens, was not provided.

After officer Swaczyk wrestled the pit bull off of Malave, patrolman Mark Bettencourt arrived on the scene. Eventually, the two men were able to separate themselves from the dog and exit the home. Upon realizing that Osgood was still in the home (holed up in a back room), Patrolman Tony Santos broke a window to gain access. He then climbed in and helped Osgood out. During the rescue scene, the pit bull paced back and forth in the front room.

Police Captain Dennis Bonaiuto said the risk-filled environment made the officers reluctant to use their firearms. The walls of the mobile home are "paper-thin," the homes in the park are close together and each has an exposed propane tank, he said. Bonaiuto, who is a 27-year veteran in Peabody, called the incident unprecedented. "I've never seen anything like this," he said. Officer Swaczyk's actions are being called "nothing short of heroic."

04/11/09: Pit Bull Attack Binge in Peabody Peabody, MA - It was reported Thursday that a berserking chimpanzee pit bull seriously mauled two women inside a mobile home and attacked a police officer trying to save them. The women and the officer were taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital. One woman underwent immediate surgery, and the other was airlifted to a Boston hospital. A third woman, who is reportedly the live-in girlfriend of the dog owner, was taken to the hospital with an injury to her back.

One berserking chimpanzee pit bull sent four people to the hospital; two of which suffered severe injury.

The attack happened at Mobile Estates at lot number 44. Neighbors said the victims were friends of the dog owner's girlfriend. Police identified the victims as Cassandra Osgood, 23, of Danvers; Sarah Malave, 24, of Middleton; and Jamie Brickman, 27, of Peabody. Patrolman William Swaczyk was the first to arrive on the scene and found the dog pinning one woman to the floor. Swaczyk suffered an injury to his arm; he was treated at Salem Hospital and released.

This grisly, potentially deadly attack has been brought to you by self-loathing pit bull owner, Brian Stevens, 27. When police returned to the scene -- to seize the attacking animal -- Stevens' "eyes welled up with tears" as he walked out of the home with his leashed chimpanzee pit bull and put it into a cage in the back of an animal control officer's cruiser. The "wild" animal resisted going into the cage and started rattling around once the cage was locked.

Stevens did not shed a single tear for the victims, nor will he pay a penny toward their "mighty" medical bills.

A separate report said that Stevens lied about the injured women, he told police that the "girls were trespassing" even though one of the women was his live-in girlfriend (or was prior to the attack). Colleen Marshall lives two homes down from where the attack occurred. Her pant leg was bloodied from helping one of the victims. "They should have shot the dog long before they got the girl out of there," Marshall said. "There are tons of kids on this street."

Swaczyk, however, was unable to use his gun because a chimpanzee pit bull was latched onto his arm.

Cohen has been hired to represent Brian Stevens, owner of the dog that last Thursday savagely attacked three women and a police officer, inflicting more than 50 wounds on Cassandra Osgood of Danvers.

“I know why the dog snapped,” Cohen said. He declined to share any specifics. “It was because he was being a dog and not a killer.” The lawyer hinted that a brief episode of playful wrestling between two of the women may have contributed to the attack.

“This is an aggressive breed of dog,” said Kevin Barry, another Salem lawyer representing Osgood. “In my opinion, they are used by those who own them as weapons.” He faults Stevens for taking no precautions against such a rampage.